Black Maternal Health: The Hidden Danger of Lead Poisoning
By: Deandrah Cameron, MPH, Backbone staff; Elyse Pivnick, MCP, Lead-Free NJ Health Committee Co-Chair; and Sheila Caldwell, RN, Lead-Free NJ Health Committee Co-Chair
As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s crucial to shed light on a critical health issue disproportionately affecting Black communities: lead poisoning. Lead is a neurotoxin that can enter the body through contaminated water, soil, dust, air, and certain consumer products. The effects of lead on pregnant or lactating persons, particularly Black persons, are alarming and urgent. While lead poisoning is entirely preventable, its devastating effects are permanent—demanding immediate intervention.
Lead poisoning is a silent threat, often going undetected until it’s too late. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that lead exposure can cause irreversible damage to the brain, kidneys, and other vital organs (CDC, 2022). It is also strongly associated with high blood pressure and heart disease.
Black pregnant or lactating persons are disproportionately affected by lead poisoning due to various socioeconomic and environmental factors. They are more likely to experience poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and other social determinants that exacerbate the effects of lead poisoning. A report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that Black children are more likely to live in older homes with lead-based paint, increasing their risk of lead exposure (EPA, 2020).
Black History Month is an important opportunity to highlight overlooked research that tells us that lead exposure may be a factor in pregnancy complications and maternal health disparities. Not only might the pregnant person be living in a hazardous lead environment at the start of pregnancy, but lead from earlier exposure may be stored in bones and may be released back into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of exposure to the pregnant person and the unborn child (Gomaa et al., 2002). Lead enters the bloodstream because lead mimics calcium in the body, allowing it to cross the placenta and affect the developing fetus (Tellez-Rojo et al., 2004). When lead is released from the bones during pregnancy, it can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight.
Did you know that pregnant people are not typically tested for lead in New Jersey?
To address this critical issue, individuals affected by lead should take immediate action. If you’re pregnant or lactating, get tested for lead exposure. Reduce your risk by assessing and avoiding exposure to deteriorating lead-based paint and other lead in your environment from dust, drinking water, soil, and certain consumer and cultural items. Stay informed by educating yourself on the risks of lead poisoning and the importance of prevention.
You might also learn about a proposed bill in New Jersey, A-4848/S-3616, which would require two lead tests during pregnancy for persons with a history of lead exposure. Even better, advocate for universal lead screenings during pregnancy.
Communities can also work together to play an active role in addressing lead poisoning. Some approaches communities can take are advocating for policy change, organizing community events, partnering with local organizations, hosting events to raise awareness about lead poisoning, providing resources for affected individuals, and collaborating with local organizations to improve access to testing and treatment for lead exposure. Local and state policy initiatives that address lead contamination holistically in housing, water, and soil are crucial to reducing exposure to lead.
An example of a collaborative initiative in New Jersey holistically working on lead is Lead-Free NJ. The Lead-Free New Jersey Collaborative is an inclusive network of organizers, stakeholders, and industry experts working together to address the pressing issue of lead contamination in New Jersey. The collaborative focuses on the goals of equitable policy change, holistic lead remediation, and empowered communities and recognizes that lead poisoning is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted solution. By bringing diverse perspectives and expertise together, the collaborative fosters a learning community that prioritizes staying connected with individuals and families impacted by lead contamination. The collaborative’s grassroots approach ensures that solutions are grounded in the experiences and needs of affected communities with Lead-Free New Jersey community hubs in Paterson, Orange, Trenton, and South Jersey.
The Collaborative’s health committee is focused on increasing testing and screening for lead exposure among vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant or lactating women. By amplifying community voices and driving collective action, the Lead-Free New Jersey Collaborative is working towards a future where all New Jersey residents can live, learn, and thrive without the burden of lead exposure. The committee is chaired by Elyse Pivnick, MCP of Isles, Inc., and Sheila Caldwell, RN.
At the state level, increasing funding for lead prevention initiatives is vital. Strengthening regulations to ensure homes are safe from lead contamination is also necessary. Providing multilingual resources, including education, testing, and treatment, for individuals affected by lead is crucial.
Lead poisoning is a critical public health crisis that cannot be ignored, especially during Black History Month. While we honor the achievements and contributions of Black communities, we must also confront the systemic injustices that drive health disparities. By taking action together, build a future where every community has the right to a safe and healthy life.
Join these efforts and become a member today, or contact info@leadfreenj.org for more information.
Blog Authors:
Pictured left to right: Deandrah Cameron, MPH., Elyse Pivnick, MCP., and Sheila Caldwell, RN.
References:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2020). Lead Toxicity.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Lead.
Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Protect Your Family from Lead.
Gomaa et al. (2002). Maternal Bone Lead as an Important Source of Lead Exposure during Pregnancy.
Tellez-Rojo et al. (2004). Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Early Exposure to Lead on Cognitive Development.
Lead Poisoning Prevention: Tips and Strategies for a Safe Home – Mayura Hospitals. https://www.mayurahospitals.com/blog/lead-poisoning-prevention-tips-and-strategies-for-a-safe-home/
Get involved: Join Lead-Free NJ today. Become a member, sign up for our newsletter, our contact info@leadfreenj.org
Lead-Free NJ is a statewide collaborative dedicated to lead poisoning prevention in New Jersey through holistic lead remediation, equitable policy change, and empowered communities. The collaborative centers community hubs, which are local grassroots organizations that advance and define the collaborative’s goals while organizing for solutions in their local communities. Lead-Free NJ also has policy-focused committees working on housing, water, and health.